I had the opportunity to ask Rachel Quiner some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Rachel is a phenomenal dancer, she takes to the stage with incredible poise and elegance. Her passion for ballet is incredible. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was two years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dancing at American Ballet Theatre’s JKO School in the Pre-Professional Division

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I’ve been on pointe for 7 years.

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear the Grishko Nova pointe shoes

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My older sisters all did ballet and I just followed in their footsteps

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

I love the Esmerelda variation

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to work for American Ballet Theatre or New York City Ballet.

Q8: Do you have a favourite memory/moment in ballet?

I absolutely loved getting to perform Clara in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes for 4 years

Q9: Who are your ballet roles models? Dancers that inspire you.

Tiler Peck & Isabella Boylston are my current inspirations

Q10: Best advice you’ve ever received from a teacher?

My teacher once said “Dance Every Combination like you’re doing Dew Drop” (one of my favorite roles)

Q11: Advise you’d give a young version of yourself?

Work your hardest every second and believe in yourself.

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

Performing in front of a live audience

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

Striving for perfection when no one is perfect

Q14: It seems like such hard work, did you ever have days growing up where you were like “ugh maybe I’ll just pick an easier career so I can be like a normal teenager”?

Definitely! But you have to remember why you love dance

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Romantic 😉

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

I’ve never had a major injury, but as a dancer you always have little injurys here and there

Q17: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?

I love vlogging for our YouTube Channel and baking.